The American Psychological Association (APA) style provides specific guidelines for referencing sources, including edited books. This citation format differs from that of a standard book due to the presence of an editor or editors who compiled chapters written by various authors. A complete reference includes the chapter author(s), year of publication, chapter title, editor(s), book title, edition (if applicable), page range, and publisher. For example: Wegener, D. T., Petty, R. E., & Smith, S. M. (2005). Attitudes and attitude change. In R. E. Petty & J. T. Cacioppo (Eds.), Attitudes and persuasion: Classic and contemporary approaches (pp. 217-275). Psychology Press.
Adhering to the established conventions for source attribution offers several advantages. Correctly crediting sources acknowledges the intellectual property of others, avoids plagiarism, and enhances the credibility of one’s own work. Consistent and accurate citations enable readers to locate the original sources, facilitating verification of information and further exploration of the topic. The APA style, widely used in the social sciences, provides a standardized framework for achieving these goals. The APA citation style is developed and maintained by the American Psychological Association. It reflects an evolution of citation practices, adapting to changes in scholarly communication and publishing formats.
